History

In 1853, King Rama IV realized that the number of people living in this part of Thailand had increased. He decided there were enough people in the area to establish a town, so he sent Phraya Tainam to survey the counties around the region. Phraya Tainam recognized that Ban Hae, which is situated on the banks of Nam Man canal, near the Loei river, was the best place for a town. He also realized that the existence of the surrounding mountains could provide a safe situation for a settlement.  Phraya Tainam recommended that the King officially recognize this area as Muang Loei.

An Act was passed in 1897 to improve administrative structures in Thailand. The whole country was divided into Provinces, District (Amphoe), Counties (Tambon) and Bans (Villages).

Muang Loei was established in Amphoe Kudphong. On January 4th 1907. the Minister if the Interior proclaimed Muang Loei to be Loei Province (Changwat Loei). Also, in 1907, the name of the area was changed from Nam Loei Waterway to Nam Hueng Waterway. 

Geography

Most of the Province consists of a series of extended low mountain ranges with the town of Loei nestling in a fertile basin.  There are three distinct geographical areas in the province :-

The mountains, mainly West of Loei, around Nahaew, Phu Rua, Dansai and Tali districts.
The population here is sparse because of the small areas for cultivation and because the terrain makes communication inconvenient.

Climate

Since Loei is situated among a  mountain range, the temperature greatly compared to the rest of Thailand. It can be very hot in the Hot Season with temperature up to 43.3 degress Celsius (around April). The other hand in the Cold Season (around December) the temperature can to minus 1.3 degrees at night.

How to get there

By Bus
Non air - conditioned buses and air - conditioned buses leave Northeastern bus terminal on Phaholyothin Road.
Tel. 271 0101 Non-air, 279 4484-7 Air. 
By Train
Trains leave Bangkok Railway Station for Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. From there take a bus to Loei. 
For further information please contact Tel. 2237010, 2237020
By Plane
Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd. flies to Loei 3 time a week. 
For more details please contact Tel. 2534004

Festivals & Events

Cotton Blossom (Dok Fai Ban)
February
Kut Pong Park
The festival is held annually between 1-7 February. On the first day, a procession in colorful cotton decoration and beauty queens prepared by different Amphoes makes its way through the street. Highlights include entertainments, stalls selling local produce and beauty contents.

Phi Ta Khon Festival
June or July
Amphoe DanSai
The festival has its origin in a traditional Buddhist tale. When Prince Vessandorn, the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, returned to his city, the welcoming procession was so delightful that spirits emerged to celebrate. Phi Ta Khon is celebrated largely by young men who dress as spirits to parade a sacred Buddha image and tease villagers, and monks reciting the story of the Buddha's last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment. 

The Phu Rua Cold Climate and Plant Fair
December - January
Phu Rua
During the cold season, Loei is a very charming place, not only because of the weather but because many beautiful flowers and trees are in bloom. Many tourists visit Loei to admire the floral beauty at this time of the year.